Transverse c section

[katienana]

Hi
I'm 35+5 and at my midwife appointment on Friday baby is thought to be breech. Midwife couldn't tell what was where, I suspect it is lying transverse - everything seems to add up to this. She is going to come and have another feel on Tuesday when I'll be 36 weeks with a view to organising a scan.
Baby is also large for dates so am having another glucose test next week. I've already had one as my first baby was over 10lb (40+3). It came back clear, I'm pretty sure genetics mean I'll have tall kids!
I also have SPD which has got quite bad now. So there's all the background!!!
I plan on declining ECV due to the factors above, success rate is only 45% at my hospital anyway. What I'd like to know is when would a c section likely be scheduled for? I know electives are usually 39 weeks but with transverse is it likely they'd do it sooner?
Any experiences with transverse babies I'd love to hear about. Thanks

[kaymondo]

Everyone I know who had an ELCS has been booked for 39 weeks. I'm booked in for mine at 38+6 this time. Not heard of planned sections being on or around due date, as usually there is a medical reason why they don't want you to labour naturally so deliver a week early to decrease the risk of labour starting.
Most of those I know were ELCS due to breech babies or previous sections though, don't think I know anyone with a transverse lie.

[Booboostwo]

My DD was transverse and booked for CS ar 39+3 but my waters broke at 38+3.

[GraciesMansion]

My planned section was at 39 weeks. I asked why they did it at 39 and it's something to do with the risk of breathing difficulties if it's earlier, theres a difference in outcome even between 37 and 39 weeks apparently. Good luck!

[katienana]

That must be it mopants. Trapdoor with transverse you can't attempt vaginal birth and need to get to hospital straight away in case waters go as cord can prolapse.

[wonkylegs]

Our hospital books ELCS for 39wks as standard, so unless there is an urgent medical need for it to be earlier they will have them at 39wks. Mines booked for 39+2 (it's a bank holiday week) but with the understanding that I didn't make it past 36wks with my son so I would have a 'planned EMCS' if my waters break early again.
So far it seems to be following a similar pattern so I'm prepared for baby to turn up anytime from next week!

[RVPisnomore]

My DS was transverse breech, had a failed ECV at 36 weeks and I was then booked in for CS at 39 weeks. As others have said they like you to go as far as possible. They were going to wait until I was 40 weeks but had a cancellation.

[Dontyouopenthattrapdoor]

Why would they do it earlier just because of the position your baby is lying in though? My experience is that they want you to go as long as possible before they'll do it. I had a section at 37 weeks but only cos I went into spontaneous labour and it needed to be a section for other reasons. It was scheduled for 39 weeks.
I've also had an emergency section (I'm shit at birthing :D )- the recovery from the semi-plAnned one at 37 weeks was much easier.
Good luck :)

[GrouchyKiwi]

My first baby was transverse at 37 weeks but happily turned for me the night before a scheduled ECV. (And apparently a lot of babies turn as the drugs to relax the womb muscles are injected.)

Don't know anything about C-sections, though, sorry.

Hope your baby turns for you (it's uncomfortable, though!)

[mopants]

3 friends have had sections all booked on due date. I was booked for one with most recent baby and was booked for 40+3. Maybe different NHS trusts follow different guidelines

[katienana]

I'm really surprised by the term thing, everyone I know including my sister who's had an elective had it booked for 39 weeks. I just don't know anyone who's had one for a transverse baby.

[mopants]

Also if you had your first naturally they may leave you until your due date to see if it turns the right way if/when you go into labour

[ToastyMcToastface]

A friend of mine had a stubbornly transverse baby, she stayed in hospital from 37 weeks for two weeks (in case of spontaneous labour) and had a section at 39 weeks. All was fine, but they did want her to go as long as possible before doing the section which meant a vey boring stay!

[mopants]

Twins are considered at term earlier than singleton pregnancies. And expected to arrive early. I had shown not a single sign of going into labour even though had had two natural births previously. It was actually not too bad of an experience having the section and after three days of two jaundiced babies having UV light treatment I went home and was driving after 10 days taking my eldest to preschool as hubby had gone back to work. Recovery was fine, think having other children helped keep me active. Ultimately doctors are happier if babies are left cooking longer. You may get a sympathetic one but most sections are booked for after the due date in my experience so don't expect it to be earlier than that, then it's a bonus if it's a few days before

[mrsmugoo]

I had a breech baby - was scanned to confirm at 36 weeks, failed ECV at 37 weeks, ELCS at 39 weeks (scanned before theatre to confirm still breech)

[katienana]

Jesus that sounds brutal! Do you think they particularly wanted you to go to term because it was twins? My ds is 3.5 and I know he's from up of how restricted I am by the SPD but he's been so sweet and started to help me round the house.

[mopants]

My very big twins were transverse so had an elective section. I also had SPD, a two and a half year old and a 17 month old and it took over 10 minutes of crying to the consultant to let me have the section before 40 weeks. I was in daily agony but still they like you to go to term. I ended up going in at 38+5 and that was only because I was high risk (because of the twins) so it was a Monday morning surgery instead of the Thursday surgery (for lower risk). My twins weighed 7lb 5oz and 8lb 7oz to give you an idea of how massive I was